What time is it? Trail time! Music to Scout’s ears, and off we go as often as we can, Scout scampering, and me lumbering, like a, like a, oh, I don’t know, an old dinosaur? (Hmm. He’s mentioned dinosaurs. Is it worth reading on to find out why?) No.
We’ve chosen the Wild Pacific Trail for the past couple of weekends. One, it has many trailheads within a thirty minute stroll from home, no need to drive, and two, it’s the Wild Pacific Trail. We’re wild for it!
The photographs included this week are from the Lighthouse Loop, and, by the end, you’ll notice I haven’t included any images of the lighthouse. Once more the contrarian…
The loop is a good stretch, winding through the rainforest, up and down, taking in views of Mount Ozzard (I found out the traditional Nuu-Chah-Nulth name, but not the meaning, earlier this week, č̓umaat̓a choo-maa-tah) and the stretch of low hills above Hitacu across the inlet, and sections above the crinkly cliffs and rocky bays over the Pacific. A wild side and an even wilder side. Yeah, man, rocky, and it rocks. Goodness, I sound like a, a, oh, I don’t know, musical dinosaur.
We must have clocked up many miles walking on the wild side of Ucluelet, and last weekend added to the tally. In my head, and stuck there due to a slow brain, a refrain from the Dinosaur Jr. ditty, “I Walk for Miles” played on a (lighthouse) loop. I love the heavy crunch of that song, and the heavy crunch of many Dinosaur Jr. tunes. Yes, tunes, if you’re an early middle aged indie kid with less hair than you might like. Dinosaur? Me? No…
Might as well mention I think the latest Dinosaur Jr. album, Sweep It Into Space is a wonderful sonic assault on your eardrums. It must be said I think they’ve mellowed a teeny bit, with some almost west coast sounding, and almost folk-tinged items shining brightly through the more familiar fuzz and feedback frenzy from the guitars. That J. Mascis is a loopy guitar player, and the frequent solos do not disappoint.
Enough for this week, I think, and I’ll stop writing now – Mrs PC has popped out, so I can play a gentle, refined and soothing album without headphones until she gets back. Turned up to 11, of course.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend, stomping along some trails, wherever you might be!
OldPlaidCamper 
Spectacular hike and terrific photos, Adam! I love that portrait of Scout. 😍
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Thanks, Jane! Scout and cameras seem to get along!
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Dinosaur Jr? There is a band called Dinosaur Jr? Can Scout bark a few tunes out?
Speaking of Scout…..did you hear about the guy who was attacked by a Grizzly? He had two dogs and one of them provoked a Grizzly! It got scared and came running back to It’s master.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard of that scenery! I hope Scout won’t go and upset the locals.
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Yup, there is a band called Dinosaur Jr! Pretty good name, and they make a pretty good noise, if loud guitars are your thing!
Haha, the loyal dog returning with a big friend – maybe it’s happened?! Scout has a nose for bears, and I don’t think she’ll ever make friends or bring one back. Her wolf DNA should see to that. If I survive, I’ll be sure to share the story with you if it ever happens – and happily hand over a dollar!
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https://www.newyorker.com/culture/sarah-larson/dinosaur-sr
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That’s a pretty fair write up! But Dinosaur Sr!? Bit harsh, they’re barely early middle-aged…role models for aging gracefully!
Thanks, Wayne. And are they what you’d listen to?
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no,I figured If there was a Jr….there might be a senior?
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This old dinosaur walked in Dinosaur Jr.’s shoes (“Dinah Shore’s shoes”?), attracted to the recording at the 9:30 Club in D.C.– where I saw one of my favorite bands, Pere Ubu, back in the 70s. Crunchy indeed! Nice walk there, PC, on the wild Pacific Trail. The pics are wonderful.
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Thanks, Walt! Your mention of Pere Ubu got me jumping down that music rabbit hole, and from what I’ve heard so far, there’s some good stuff to unearth.
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Thank you , the photos inspire me to commune with nature, a welcome reprieve from lock-down, where my unruly hair won’t bother me or anyone else. I will even put on boots and raincoat to welcome some much-needed rain. I smiled at Scout’s photo with the “Dinosaur? You? Yes!” Will give this band a listen. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks, Jane! We hear from our daughter – she’s back in AB for the time being – that things aren’t too great, virus numbers-wise… I hope you’re keeping safe, enjoying getting out and about, and as for lockdown hair, it’s the new look for now!
Take care.
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Beautiful shot of Scout and has she tried to borrow the headphones?!?!🐾😁
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Thank you! Scout has borrowed plenty of items and left her unique (tooth) marks on them, but so far the headphones have survived. She’s clearly an intuitive dog, and knows the headphones are essential to Mrs PC being able to put up with me.
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So wonderful to be out there on the Wild Pacific Trail with the three of you, pc. Funny dinosaur quips and I liked your creative phrase: “crinkly cliffs.” You made some steep ascents, and got grand views, lovely photos. I had never heard of Dinosaur Jr., and I do very much like screaming guitars; enjoyed the link, too. Cheers, buddy, to more hiking and great times on the trail.
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Thanks, Jet! Dinosaur Jr. are reliably noisy, with plenty of great guitars, so you might like their company! I hope your week is going well.
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